The big question for tomorrow will revolve around the former UFC Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. Sylvia, who stated in the past that he was displeased with the amount of money that Brock Lesnar was getting from the UFC, will make an official announcement tomorrow according to his blog post, and the news will be featured on tomorrow night's Inside MMA show on HDNet. With the news coming, the rumors are flying around as to where Tim Sylvia may end up after Friday's announcement. Let's go through the list:
1. EliteXC: I'm more inclined to believe that Sylvia is moving to the promotion that can give him more exposure to a national audience. Sure, Sylvia has been a boring fighter in the UFC, but that was against top competition in the world. Against EliteXC's potentially lackluster talent pool, Sylvia could be a big problem for their list of heavyweights. He could also line himself up with a shot at Fedor if EliteXC can manage to actually sign him.
Since Tim Sylvia wants more money, EliteXC could be the way to go if they happen to have the finances to move forward. Most fans believe that EliteXC is banking everything on the CBS deal, but the fact is that one successful event could lead to huge things. A big name sponsor could step in, and fighters will receive more money for their own sponsors. That's exactly where Sylvia can make his money.
2. Golden Boy: I've grown tired of hearing what Golden Boy could supposedly do for the sport. There isn't enough talent out there right now for the promotion to make a splash in the sport. I don't see Sylvia going there, and there are even doubts as to whether the promotion will even take off now.
3. M-1 Global (American Division): MMAonTap seems to think that this may be a possibility, and some fans have emailed me regarding the probability of Sylvia going with his agent, Monte Cox. To be perfectly honest, Sylvia should only consider this if M-1 Global plans to still work with events such as EliteXC, Strikeforce, and other promotions. He can maintain a working contract in M-1 Global for the events that they are still planning, and then move to fighting some big name battles on CBS in EliteXC under the M-1 Global name.
4. UFC: The UFC is always in the running, and it could be that the UFC has simply given him the contract that he desired. According to the Fight Network, that isn't the case, and he will be moving away from the UFC.
5. DREAM/WVR: Highly doubtful. His drawing power remains in the American market, so I imagine he'll look for the higher payouts here.
Where will Tim Sylvia end up? I imagine he will either sign with EliteXC outright or move to sign with M-1 Global's new American promotion with Monte as a non-exclusive fighter. Either way, he's going to probably going to be making an appearance on CBS, and he could be more exciting while fighter the lesser competition in those promotions. Will Tim Sylvia make a big mistake in signing with a promotion like M-1 Global that may end up going under by the end of the year, or will EliteXC's recent rise to network television convince Sylvia to sign with ProElite? Both promotions could ultimately die out, and where would Sylvia be then? It's a huge decision that we'll find out tomorrow.